Populous Provides Three Potential Nashville Ballpark Sites in Study

Mayor Karl Dean today released a baseball stadium site evaluation study that narrows potential locations for a new minor-league ballpark in Nashville to three: the East Bank of the Cumberland River, Sulphur Dell located near Germantown and the North Gulch area north of Charlotte Avenue.

The study by sports consulting firm Populous describes the three sites as “exciting options” for a new ballpark. The study calls the East Bank the site “that can produce impact on a grand scale.” It also says that development there “creates a new front door to downtown Nashville.”

“The most important facet of creating a great ballpark begins with selecting the right site,” said Bruce Miller, Populous Principal responsible for leading the study. “Great ballparks celebrate their communities, they aid urban growth and development; and they create unforgettable experiences as part of their place in the city. We believe the three sites we have identified for a new Nashville ballpark have the opportunity to do all of that.”

The study says a ballpark in the North Gulch could build on the energy of ongoing Gulch development and could act as a gateway from West Nashville on Charlotte Avenue. The Sulphur Dell site, the historic location of professional baseball in Nashville, would be an opportunity to tie into two greenway systems and could boost development along Jefferson Street, the report says.

“All three sites present unique opportunities to enhance our city in different ways,” Dean said.

“Both the North Gulch and the Sulphur Dell locations would build on the growth and reinvestment of important urban neighborhoods. I am especially intrigued by the East Bank site because it offers opportunity for more than just a baseball stadium. It could be the catalyst for a complete transformation of one of the last undeveloped, highly visible sections of our city’s skyline.”

The report notes that the trend in most cities for financing a minor-league baseball stadium is through a public-private partnership.

“This study is the first step in a long process,” Dean said. “We are still a long way from a financing structure and an agreement with the Nashville Sounds. As the report points out, next steps include market and financial feasibility studies and further study of property acquisition. Additionally, there has to be a significant financial contribution by the Sounds.”

The former Thermal Transfer Plant near Riverfront Park, the Opryland/Music Valley area, the North Gulch south of Charlotte Avenue and the East Bank north of the Jefferson Street Bridge were also studied, as was renovating Greer Stadium. Greer has been home to minor-league baseball in Nashville since 1978.